This is the live blog for Gable Steveson vs. Alexandr Romanov, the main event match at RAF 9 from College Park Center in Arlington, Tex. on Saturday night.
Still only 25 years old, Steveson is the 2020 Olympic gold medalist. But after his early success in wrestling, Steveson has spent the past few years trying his hand at other endeavors, including professional wrestling and football. Most recently, Steveson pivoted to MMA, and signed to the UFC where he will make his debut this summer. However, he’s also returning to wrestling, competing for RAF, with his sights set on making another Olympic run in 2028.
A former UFC heavyweight, Romanov is currently signed to the PFL, where he holds their No. 5 ranking. But before taking up MMA, Romanov was a freestyle wrestler, winning a bronze medal at the 2016 World University Championships. This is Romanov’s second RAF match, having lost to Mason Parris at RAF 2 in October.
Check out the live blog for Steveson vs. Romanov below.
Romanov is a very rectangular man. He’s going to get run over, but he does at least look like he could be tough.
Steveson barely looks interested. Granted, he doesn’t need to be. Man could be hungover and rinse Romanov. The only question is how long this will last.
Steveson with a hand fight and feint that gets Romanov to sprawl down hard. Steveson much quicker and does it again but Romanov does a good job of fending off points early.
Third time is the charm though as the feint sets Steveson to get a step around for two, and he immediately traps the arm and gets a turn.
Back to standing and Steveson quickly forces Romanov back for a push out. Restart and a hand goes high, breaking the action as Steveson got hit in the face. Back to the action and Steveson tries for an ankle pick but Romanov does a good job slipping out.
Romanov doing better than I expected and tries his own arm drag to no avail. Romanov doing his best to keep Steveson from establishing a position. But oh no!
Hand-fighting and smash down from Steveson gets a bad reaction from Romanov. He’s holding his arm very gingerly and wincing in pain. Stoppage as they sort this out but it sure looks like Romanov got injured in there.
They restart and Romanov’s arm is hanging limply. He’s clearly done there but Steveson doesn’t force the issue and we end the round.
Romanov’s right arm looks like it’s in a sling to his body. He can barely move that thing and Steveson is just taking it easy in there. But he keeps coming forward and gets a push out. 6-0.
Steveson hanging on the head, changing levels, working without assaulting. Collar tie into a snap down and a pass by for Steveson for two points. Steveson to the gut wrench and gets the turn and Romanov seems like he was just waiting for this to be over. Fair play.
Gable Steveson def. Alexandr Romanov via Tech Fall (10-0) — Period 2
Jon Jones is over there with Chael Sonnen, here to support his buddy.
Steveson acts as if anyone questioned if he could still wrestle, which is obvious insane, but OK. Stevenson then insists he’s both a wrestler and a fighter.
Jon Jones gets on the mic and puts over RAF and Steveson.
“I would absolutely love to wrestle with you guys. That would be a lot of fun.”
Steveson then says he has some matches in RAF that he wants — Abdulrashid Sadulaev, and current world champion Amir Hossein Zare.
Read the full article here
